The Lunar Warriors - Book of Seed – Chapter One - “Brothers in Arms” - 4

Realizing that Bertrand has arrived, Alden exchanged a quick glance with him before continuing his conversation with the Grand Master. Bertrand could immediately tell from the expression on his brother’s face that something has gone terribly wrong. There was that dark cloud of concern looming over Alden’s brows. Walking down the aisle, Bertrand quickly found a seat at the front row bench and sat down.

Bertrand could faintly make out the conversation between Alden and the Grand Master, “Yes, tonight .. to depart…..” “ Yes, it… not encouraged… seek….” Shutting his eyes, Bertrand tried to concentrate on their conversation. However, their conversation ended abruptly when Solvin interrupted to inform the Grand Master that the hall was ready. Taking a step back, Alden bowed to the Grand Master, and took his seat beside his brother at the bench. A clearly excited Bertrand nudged his brother and whispered, “Hey Alden, what’s going on? What is the commotion all about?” Alden just replied, “Be patient brother, just listen to the Grand Master announcement.”

Fidgeting in his seat, Bertrand was very anxious as he looked around the hall, wondering what had happened that such an urgent gathering was called. All attendance has taken their seats around the oval-shaped hall. Two rows of benches encircled the main stage, which was located in the middle of the hall. Grand Master Eldorn took the stage and raised his right hand up, signaling the hall that he was going to speak. The hall immediately fell into silence, and all eyes was resting on the Grand Master, as Bertrand found out that he was not the only one perplexed with the happening of events tonight and there were many hoping for an answer.

Clearing his throat, the Grand Master voice filled the room, “Sons and daughters of Lunar, we are gathered here tonight as a matter of emergency. We have just received news that the Sunis tribe has resurfaced after laying dormant for the last four decades. The village of Moonlit up north has been caught by surprise and they are currently under continuous assault of the Sunis tribal army.” A wide-eyed Bertrand looked at Alden sitting beside him, while gasps of air swept across the audience. The Grand Master continued, “Casualties have been limited, as the village elders have managed to put up a magical barriers to ward off the intruders temporary. However, the situation is dire and they have called for help from all the nearby lunar tribes.” Thoughts raced through Bertrand’s mind, “We are the nearest to home and we are hundreds of miles away!!” Being a nomadic tribe, Lunar tribe members were scattered around the Land of Wayworth. While some were nearer to each others, some were extremely far apart.

The Lunar Warriors - Book of Seed – Chapter One - “Brothers in Arms” - 3

Bertrand was tossing around his bed, unable to sleep because the night has been unusually hot and humid. With his eyes wide opened, Bertrand stared blankly at the barren ceiling, hoping to find some sleep before the morning begins. Hours have passed, and his eyes were finally getting heavier, slipping into the dreamland.

Suddenly, a series of loud bang on his room door jolted him wide-awake. “For heaven sake, what time is it now?!!” he cursed at the perpetrator that has ruined his sleep as he dragged his unwilling body out of the bed to open the door. Bertrand found the night watcher, Solvin standing outside the door with a brightly lit night lamp. Bertrand shielded his eyes from the lights instinctively with his hands as he grumbled, “Argh, I was just falling asleep..” “Master Bertrand, sorry for waking you up at this hour. Grand Master Eldorn has summoned for your presence in the great hall. Please make your way there now.” said Solvin. After delivering the message, he nodded slightly to Bertrand and left the room, bringing away the little night lamp that he has brought along, and the whole room was plunged back into darkness. Caught completely by surprise, Bertrand paused for a moment and tried to gather his thoughts. “This must be something important.” he uttered. Bertrand fumbled in the darkness and slipped into his shirt and pants before hastily making his way to the great hall.

Walking along the long corridors leading to the great hall, Bertrand could feel that the temple was unusually alive at this hour. Torches along the corridors were brightly lit and there were the occasional group of aides hurried by. Doubling his pace, Bertrand reached the main entrance to the great hall and he could see that the hall was already filled with apprentices like him and also the other masters of disciplines. At the center of the hall, stood his younger brother Alden, exchanging words with a very solemn faced Grand Master Eldorn.

The Lunar Warriors - Book of Seed – Chapter One - “Brothers in Arms” -2

Alden put his hand into his pouch and took out some dried raisin. Leaning against the wall, he started popping them into his mouth, chewing while his eyes were closed, grabbing some much-needed rest, as he had not slept for the past 2 days.

There was unmistakable resemblance between the two brothers. Both of them carried the same hawkish features, almond-shaped eagle eyes and sharp noses. Both of them sported a tattoo of the Red Crescent on their left arms, a clear signage of their descendant from the diminishing but powerful Lunar Tribe. Bertrand was much bigger in stature, with muscular arms and well-toned muscles all over his 6ft. 5 body. Alden stood a head shorter than his elder brother, with a leaner and slender body.

They were on the journey back to their village, after they had received the news that their beloved native land was besieged. Three years ago, they embarked on a journey to the sacred Temple of Moon, located deep in the heart of the Land of Wayworth. It was part of their journey in becoming a true lunaris. A journey, that would take at least six months of traveling through treacherous mountain terrains and poisonous swamps, through the Woods of Dead before ending with a one-week hike up Mount Moon, where the temple was located. The journey was to test them mentally and physically, as well as to attest their skills in preparation for the training in becoming a Lunaris – which meant the “Capable One”. However, reaching the temple had only marked the beginning of their grueling training in becoming a lunaris. They had since spent their last two winters at the temple, trained under the masters of their disciplines.

It was two days ago, in the wee hour of the morning that Alden was aroused from his sleep by a repeated tapping on his room windows. Alerted, Alden’s body sprung to life as he quickly grabbed his staff and recalled a spell of shielding to his mind. “Tap tap tap.. tap tap tap… tap tap tap.. tap tap..” the tapping continued outside the windows. Alden heightened his senses and listened intently to the noise, sensing no immediate danger after a while, he eased his guard and moved nearer to the window.
“Eeeeakkk..” he swung the windows opened. A familiar sight greeted him. A silver owl was perched on the hinges. “Silverhood, what are you doing here at this hour?” Alden said to the bird while extending his right arm. Recognizing the master’s gesture, Silverhood immediately hopped on to Alden’s arm. “I see, you’ve brought a message.”

The Lunar Warriors - Book of Seed – Chapter One - “Brothers in Arms”

“Tik…. tak.. tik.. tak” the sound of rain drops on the roof, echoed through the room. Bertrand was sitting at the corner of the room, cursing at the rain, his clothes soaked wet with water. His brother, Alden sat quietly across him. Weaving his fingers in the air and chanting the words of magic, he’s trying to conjure the spell of fire, to light up the small pile of firewood that Bertrand has made out from the broken pieces of furniture scattered around the room.

“Give it a rest Alden, those darn woods are too wet to be of any use. We’ve fought hard and long today, better save your energy for tomorrow’s journey home.” Bertrand uttered. Alden just stared blankly at his brother, too tired to even think about arguing such matter with him. He took out a wooden staff, pointed directly at the pile of wood and shouted “fireball!” out loud. A burst of energy channeled through his body, and a fireball shot out from the tip of the staff. For a moment, the light emitted by the fireball lit up the room. Bertrand lifted up his hand and shunned his eyes from the burning light, while mumbling some words to himself. Alden looked at the pile of wood that he had just ignited, shaking his head in disappointment that he needed the help of the staff again to cast such simple spell. Clutching his fist, Alden smashed the staff to the floor, and at the same time he shot a glance to his brother, warning him not to say a single word.

The flickering flame brought much needed warmth to the room. Alden wrapped himself up with a blanket and sat in front of the fire. His hand extended to the flame, warming his cold and slim fingers. Not wanting to waste the fire, Bertrand quickly sat down beside his brother, and pulled out a package of sliced meat that he has salvaged from the battlefield this morning. He skewed the sliced meat with his knife and started roasting them over the fire. Licking his lips, Bertrand eyes lit up in excitement as he watched the meat getting cooked. His stomach started to grumble as the smell of roast meat filled the air. Within minutes, the meat is cooked with its juice dripping into the flame below. Ignoring the heat, Bertrand’s hunger took the better of him as he swallowed a mouthful of sliced meat fresh from the fire. “Ummphhh, Arldennn.., yumm… the meat is pretty good, want some?” Bertrand mumbled to his brother while his hands were busy skewing the meat again. Alden shook his head slightly, he signaled to Bertrand to hand over his pouch.